How much is lying a part of Christianity?

[Hydra009]

Theists?   Please understand Jehovah's Witnesses are a separate and distinct religion very different from most other religions.   You need be specific for me to respond better.

Theist is a catch-all term for someone who believes in a god or gods.  Jehovah's Witnesses might conceive themselves as vastly different from the pack, but from an outsider perspective, it's just a different coat of paint on the same toilet.

[trdsf]

'Lying' is probably not quite the right term.  That implies that one knows one is speaking untruths, and a lot of people legitimately believe their religion -- regardless of whether there's a good reason to.

'Self-delusion' is probably the better phrase.  Religion dies without that.

[Gregory]

'Lying' is probably not quite the right term.  That implies that one knows one is speaking untruths, and a lot of people legitimately believe their religion -- regardless of whether there's a good reason to.

'Self-delusion' is probably the better phrase.  Religion dies without that.

Religion dies without the indoctrination of children.  In the Bible, the Hebrews admitted as much.

[Baruch]

Religion dies without the indoctrination of children.  In the Bible, the Hebrews admitted as much.

If you don't indoctrinate your children, you get Children of the Corn.

[Jagella]

'Lying' is probably not quite the right term.  That implies that one knows one is speaking untruths, and a lot of people legitimately believe their religion -- regardless of whether there's a good reason to.

'Self-delusion' is probably the better phrase.  Religion dies without that.

You are correct. A lie won't work unless somebody is lied to. Many of the clergy lie, and many of the faithful believe those lies hoping those lies are true.

[Gregory]

Lying is nothing if it does no harm.  Telling someone that they are going to heaven when they are dying does no harm.

[Hydra009]

Lying is nothing if it does no harm.  Telling someone that they are going to heaven when they are dying does no harm.

Ehhh...I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have someone blow smoke up my ass.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Theist is a catch-all term for someone who believes in a god or gods.  Jehovah's Witnesses might conceive themselves as vastly different from the pack, but from an outsider perspective, it's just a different coat of paint on the same toilet.

Yeah-butting is endemic in religion. "Yeah, but we have the straight skinny."

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Ehhh...I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have someone blow smoke up my ass.

It might make you more sympathetic toward smoked ham.

[Jagella]

Lying is nothing if it does no harm.  Telling someone that they are going to heaven when they are dying does no harm.

Belief in a post-life heaven may lead to complacency in this life. People may be less likely to try to solve problems and exploit resources to maximize well-being. Moreover, preaching a ticket to heaven exclusive to one religion may lead to confusion and division among people of all religions. Even violence may occur if people fear that others may not make it to their heaven.

So belief in heaven can and often has led to hell on earth.

[Baruch]

Ehhh...I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have someone blow smoke up my ass.

Good plan.  The one time I had sarcasm nearly put me in a hospital (I had offended a co-worker) I had used that meme.  Fortunately I know how to go in reverse.

[trdsf]

Lying is nothing if it does no harm.

Agreed, with caveats.  So-called "little white lies" are still lies.

Telling someone that they are going to heaven when they are dying does no harm.

I can think of few things more heinous than lying to someone in extremis.  When I'm on my death bed, I will find the energy to rip a new one out of whoever is so damned tactless to say something like that to me.  And if in a position to be asked by a believer, I'll punt with something genuinely innocuous designed to protect their feelings without making a hypocrite of myself.

[LoriPinkAngel]

I deal with dying people sometimes in my line of work.  When they speak of going to heaven or meeting their maker I am obviously not going to contradict them at that time.  I usually just evade the subject by saying something like we will be here for you and we will do all we can to manage your pain.

[Jagella]

I deal with dying people sometimes in my line of work.  When they speak of going to heaven or meeting their maker I am obviously not going to contradict them at that time.  I usually just evade the subject by saying something like we will be here for you and we will do all we can to manage your pain.

I think you're doing the right thing. I generally don't disabuse people of their comforting beliefs unless doing so is in the context of a debate or discussion on that subject. I also may warn people of the potential dangers of those beliefs if necessary. In any case, when you do assure them that medical science is their better bet, I'd recommend that you do so persuasively.

[Baruch]

Agreed, with caveats.  So-called "little white lies" are still lies.
I can think of few things more heinous than lying to someone in extremis.  When I'm on my death bed, I will find the energy to rip a new one out of whoever is so damned tactless to say something like that to me.  And if in a position to be asked by a believer, I'll punt with something genuinely innocuous designed to protect their feelings without making a hypocrite of myself.

No worry, when you get the Covid-cremation treatment, still alive or not, you won't have anyone chatting with you about things that annoy you.